Note From God
She's an educated, intelligent and diligent person who would be a brilliant asset to any company and yet she is struggling to find work.
Jeremiah 44:1-30
Reference: v.29 "'This will be the sign to you that I will punish you in this place,' declares the Lord, 'so that you will know that my threats of harm against you will surely stand.'" (NIV Bible)
Explore: I was chatting to a friend the other day that has been looking for a part-time job for a couple of months. She's an educated, intelligent and diligent person who would be a brilliant asset to any company and yet she is struggling to find work. She seems to be doing all the right things by updating her resume, sending in applications and following up on interviews and yet still nothing has been offered to her. With two young children she was wondering whether this was God's way of saying to her that now was not the right time to take up a job. But she wasn't definitely sure that was right either. We thought that it would be much easier if God would write her a letter to say what was best and then she would know what to do. Having it in writing would be so much easier, right?
Application: There are times when I feel exactly the same as my friend. I just want a direct word – or even a note – from God to give me specific guidance. However, I do wonder: if God gave me such specific direction, would I be more willing to obey? The people of Judah were constantly given words and signs from God and yet they continued to turn away from him. I'm not sure I would be much different from the people mentioned in Jeremiah. However, the people of Judah had stopped searching for God. Jeremiah was trying to point them back to Him but they had turned their backs and were finding help elsewhere. If we stay focussed on God, He will reveal Himself to us. It may not be by sending us a note but He does desire for us to know Him. We just need to keep our eyes open and our trust firmly in God.
Prayer: Lord, sometimes it is difficult for us to hear Your voice. May we stay faithful to you and continue to strive to look to You. Amen.
What would you like your 'note from God' to say?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.